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Camera Gear

Updated: September 18, 2016 4:44:01 • 1106 words

I currently own, or previously owned, the following camera gear.

Cameras and SLR Bodies

Canon EOS 5D Mk2

Purchased in August 2011, and while it was a bit intimidating at first, I don't regret it at all. Jumping from high-end point-and-shoot all the way to high-end DSLR has done wonders for my photography, and no longer being limited by equipment has helped me develop my craft in ways I never thought I'd be able to.

Cellphone Camera: Samsung Galaxy S Relay

Not sure if this one even counts, but I use it for quickie snapshots, and I occasionally get something worth posting out of it.

(Sold) Canon Powershot S3 IS

This was my first real camera, a Christmas gift from my mom in 2006. It was a great camera, for a point-and-shoot, and I spent years shooting with it, but I outgrew it. There are still a number of photos from this camera in the Photography section of this site, but I haven't shot anything new with it since I got the 5D in 2011.

Lenses

Canon EF 24-105 f4 L IS

This is the lens that came with the 5D, and thus far, it's been an absolutely spectacular lens. I really don't find myself wanting for a better mid-range zoom, and if I have to choose just one, it's usually this one.

Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM (Pancake)

Purchased this literally on a whim in November 2013, and with the exception of the Holga, it's the cheapest lens I've ever purchased (or plan to ever purchase), by a significant margin. Totally worth it, though. This is a pretty simple prime lens, without zoom or stabilization, but it yields one fantastic advantage: With it attached to my camera, even a camera body as huge as the 5D can fit in my purse! While visiting a friend, I saw an amazing sunset, one of several I saw recently without my DSLR handy, and mentioned that I wished I had my good camera with me. He suggested I get a pancake lens to carry my DSLR around, and sure enough, it's a feasible option! Admittedly, the 5D is heavy even with such a nonexistant lens, but not impossible for near-everyday walking. As for the lens itself, I highly recommend it. Its optics are fantastic, plus the tiny profile is convenient, lightweight, and helps even the mammoth 5D draw less attention.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4

Acquired this in May 2012. I wanted a good general-purpose indoor lens, and this one had fantastic reviews, so I decided to go for it. I normally go for L-series lenses, but in this case, the 50mm f1.2L wasn't well-reviewed, and without image stabilization, it just wasn't worthwhile, especially for a lens I'm not super-excited about. Still, though, I've done cool things with this lens, and it's proven to be far more versatile than I expected.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8L IS Macro

I acquired this in May 2012, and immediately kicked myself for waiting so long to get it. Arguably the sharpest Canon lens available, and definitely my new favorite out of the half-dozen or so that I've tried. And for someone with shaky hands, the Hybrid IS is well worth the extra cost. In addition to macro shooting, which I absolutely love, this makes a surprisingly great portrait lens, and it's very useful for conventions/events.

Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L IS

I bought this in October 2013 secondhand, from a trusted friend who's been something of a photography mentor to me. Originally, this wasn't on my list of lenses to acquire, but this friend putting it up for sale prompted me to seriously consider it, and it made a lot of sense, due to how small and light it is compared to the 100-400mm. It's comparable in size to my 100mm Macro, which is perfect for occasions when I don't need extreme distance, and don't want to lug around the five-pound monstrosity. Considering how often this sort of zoom range would be useful at conventions and events, it was well worth getting.

Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS

This one was purchased in November 2013, not long after the 70-200mm, as an early Christmas gift to myself (I found a really good deal on it). I rented one of these over a year ago, for a large convention, and while its bulk makes it awkward to carry around, it's definitely a lens I've wanted for a long time. As much as I love shooting full-frame, I'm at a disadvantage for telephoto focal lengths compared to crop-sensor shooters, and while the 70-300mm L is a fantastic lens that I've tried on numerous occasions, the extra 100mm for almost no price difference was worth seeking out.

Holga EF (with .5x wide and 2.5x telephoto adapters)

This is a weird one, but fun. It was practically free, a cheapie plastic lens with absolutely awful optical qualities. Why use it, then? Because it creates some truly fascinating artistic effects that just can't be simulated with software, no matter how hard Instagram tries. For photos taken with this lens, click here. For Christmas 2013, a dear friend bought me both focal length adapters for it. The standard focal length of the Holga lens is approximately 60mm, but the adapters can shift it to 30mm (wide adapter) or 150mm (tele adapter), giving three different focal lengths for these sorts of shots, instead of just one. Should allow for even more fun, and add some versatility to this creative tool.

Accessories

Flash: Canon Speedlite 320EX

Since the 5D has no onboard flash, I needed one, and since I seldom take photos requiring a flash, I opted for the Speedlite 320EX, which was on sale at the time and gets the job done with minimal effort. However, with a camera body that can go up to ISO 6400 and still get a usable shot, I find myself using a flash even less than I did with the Powershot, which couldn't get a worthwhile photo above ISO 100.

Canon Eg-S Super Precision Focusing Screen

This was a Christmas present from a close friend in 2013, to aid in manual focusing for my faster lenses, especially the macro lens. The standard focusing screen, Eg-A, is optimized for brightness, for slow-aperture zoom lenses, but manual focusing with it is near-impossible. With the Eg-S, manual focus is still somewhat of a challenge (no split-prism or anything), but it's very possible to do it without using live-view.